PUNJAB TO BE A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE FORMED TO LOOK INTO TRANSPORTATION COST ISSUES

New Delhi/Chandigarh (Face2News)

Distressed over the financial losses to the State because of non reimbursement of expenditure incurred over transportation and purchase of gunny bags, Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Punjab met Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution at Krishi Bhawan , New Delhi and sought his immediate intervention to expedite the matter.

Conceding to the long pending demand of Punjab, GOI has agreed to release the pending payment of Rs.950 crore out of which 50% would be released immediately and the remaining amount too would be released on priority, informed FSM and added that Punjab has been included as a member in the Committee formed to look into transportation cost related issues. He said during the Central pool procurement operations the State Government and its Agencies have to suffer loss of approximately 1100 crore for paddy and rupees 300 crore for wheat every year. Being a member of the said Committee will definitely give an edge to the State the resolve the transportation cost related issues.

Later, GoI Minister impressed upon the food department to push through construction of silos and expressed satisfaction over the progress of implementation of End to End Computerisation of distribution of wheat under NFSA.